Free Bear Care Health & Wellness Clinic

Free Bear Care Health & Wellness Clinic for White Bear Lake Area School District students

Health services provided by St. Catherine University nurses and nurse practitioners WBLAS is partnering with the St. Catherine University Nursing Department to provide students with free health assessments and treatment.

These services are similar to what would be available in your regular doctor’s office with assessments, treatments, referrals and health education. The clinic is a School-Based Health Clinic within the school. It will offer preventative and acute care health services to students of all ages within the district. The clinic will be an available resource and additional health care supplement for students.

Services Currently Available Hours for all district students (birth-age 21) ...... 2-6 p.m. All health services are provided in the new private, clinic space in Tuesdays & Wednesdays North Campus. Health services include: The clinic is open on in-school calendar • Health assessments and sports physical exams days. If your child goes to the nurse’s • Rapid strep throat testing office at school, the school nurse may • Ear infections and pink eye refer you and your child to the Bear Care • Rapid mono testing Clinic. You or your child can schedule an • Influenza testing appointment in the following ways: • Immunizations - call (651) 653-2923 • Urinary tract (bladder) infection testing - email [email protected] • Health education - online at https://signup.com/go/zatAXXk • Mental health support and referrals • Teen health Telehealth (online) or in-person • Nutrition counseling appointments are available and same day • Chronic illness management and referrals appointments are subject to availability. • Family health support Outside of Bear Care hours, please use • NEW - The Bear Care Health and Wellness Clinic is offering your primary clinic or the emergency curbside COVID-19 rapid tests for all students and staff of the department for urgent needs. district with symptoms of the virus. Appointments are required and walk-ins are not available. Contact Us Services available may change depending on supply availability...... Email: [email protected] Phone: 651-653-2923 Cost ...... Bear Care Clinic visits are free for district students. Location ...... Health insurance is not billed. Some students will qualify for a public state immunization program. For those who do not, WBLAHS - North Campus families will be offered the option to provide a small donation for 5045 Division Ave., White Bear Lake, MN 55110 the cost of the immunization. Please make an appointment before going to the clinic. Mission The Bear Care Health and Wellness Clinic’s mission is to provide access to affordable health care for uninsured and underinsured children in the White Bear Lake Area School District, to improve community health and educational outcomes.

Many families in our community have high deductible health care plans or out-of-pocket plans. Our free clinic can provide an affordable health care option for families. The Bear Care Clinic is also centrally located at North Campus to provide a quick, accessible option for health care.

Clinic Goals The goals of the clinic are to: • provide accessible and affordable care to any student • help students miss fewer days of school • give students meaningful access to care in a location that is safe, convenient and confidential • foster healthy student lifestyles

Questions & Answers

How is the clinic different than the school nurse health office? While the school nurse health office and the Bear Care Clinic work collaboratively, both operate differently. The Bear Care Clinic will focus on health needs that are typically found in a medical clinic, such as testing for strep throat, ear infection treatment, wellness exams and immunizations.

How can my child use the clinic? During the school day, if the student experiences acute illness, the school health nurse may recommend to the student to seek care at the Bear Care Clinic. Appointments can be made for during the school day, working with the teachers to ensure a minimum amount of class time is missed.

In Skyward, parents and guardians will have the option to sign a consent form for students to use the clinic during the school day. This consent is valid until the end of the student’s high school career.

Outside of the Bear Care Clinic open hours, please call your primary care provider or emergency department for urgent needs.

Who staffs the clinic? A certified nurse practitioner from St. Catherine University will be the main provider at the clinic. Additionally, registered nurses and student nurses from St. Catherine University will provide care and education. A social worker mental health student will collaboratively provide mental health care. We are committed to inclusive excellence: we value, engage and include the diversity within our community.